George J. McTague

George J. McTague, 84, of Raleigh, N.C., formerly of Rye Brook, NY, passed away at his home after living with liver cancer for over 10 years.

George was born in Albany, N.Y. in the summer of 1932 to George and Elsie McTague. He had one sister, Mary (affectionately known as Tiny). After graduating from high school in Albany, George joined the U.S. Air Force in which he served stateside during the Korean War. It was during his time in the Air Force that he learned many of the skills that he would later use in his 32-year career with AT&T. His work with AT&T brought him from the Albany area to White Plains. He retired from AT&T in 1987.

While working at AT&T, George met Nancy Kellett and they were married in December of 1973. They rarely left each other’s side for over 42 years. George and Nancy lived most of their marriage in Rye Brook with their daughter Sharon. George and his family spent many weekends and later, summers, in their vacation home in Mattituck, New York.

In 1997, George and Nancy moved to New Bern, N.C. where they had great friends and made great memories. Each year they would return to their home and friends in Mattituck for the spring, summer and early fall. George enjoyed making repairs and improvements to the Mattituck house. He was very handy and always seemed to have the right tool for the job somewhere in one of his sheds or his garage. Nothing stayed broken for long when George was around. He appreciated things being in their right place and working properly.

George was a lifelong member of the Elks and was a member of lodges in Watertown, Albany and White Plains, N.Y. and most recently for the last 19 years at Lodge Number 764 in New Bern, N.C. George enjoyed the time and comradery with his brethren and sistren at the Elks and greatly missed his Tuesday night card game when he moved to Raleigh last fall. George lived by the core tenets of the Elks – Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity.

George had a refreshingly sarcastic sense of humor and a dry wit. He was not loud in his opinions, but shared them when appropriate and within the right audience. He was a friend to all who had the pleasure of meeting him. He will be missed but not forgotten.

George is survived by his loving wife, Nancy; his daughter Sharon Hansen (husband Josh); son James Kellett (wife Jeannie) and three of his children from an earlier marriage; son Tommy McTague (wife Lorraine); daughter Susan Martin (husband Mike), and estranged daughter Linda. He was predeceased by his sister and son Michael. He has three grandchildren, Jimmy’s sons Kyle and Mitchell Kellett and Sharon’s daughter, Kate – his little girly girl.

The family will receive visitors on Friday, July 15, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 16, at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church in Mattituck. Interment will follow at the Cutchogue Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, George’s family asks that you consider making a donation in his memory to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065 or online at giving.mskcc.org.